TuneCore Acquires DropKloud and Its Founders

TuneCore today announced the acquisition of DropKloud and addition of its co-founders, James DeNino and Kedar Frederic to the TuneCore team. The two will head up TuneCore’s new office in Boston, where they will focus on product development in a new TuneCore innovation lab. This purchase furthers TuneCore’s commitment to provide artists with the tools and resources needed to flourish in the music industry.

DropKloud is a modern, digital enhancement to the street team promotion, allowing artists to drop digital content – whether it’s exclusive access to a song, an invite to a pop-up showcase or behind the scenes photos – into â€˜Klouds’ available to fans in specific physical locations. Following a beta launch at SXSW 2014, the app is being further developed and is expected to launch in spring 2015 as an exclusive TuneCore Artist Services.

“As technology continues to shape the music industry, TuneCore strives to be at the forefront of the evolution,” said Scott Ackerman, CEO of TuneCore. “We are excited to be able to provide the unique DropKloud product to TuneCore Artists as another tool to help them engage even more fans and expand their career as independent musicians. Our new innovation lab will be committed to creating cutting edge tools for our artist entrepreneurs.”

James DeNino and Kedar Frederic both bring distinctive backgrounds and expertise that will help fuel and grow TuneCore’s offerings.

“Joining the TuneCore team was such a natural transition for DropKloud,” said James DeNino, Director of Product Strategy at TuneCore. Kedar Frederic, Director of Product Innovation, echoes that same enthusiasm by saying, “Our mission of providing independent artists with innovative services that don’t exist today is completely in-line with the TuneCore philosophy.”